GrayFinders2

It would be nice if CO's had the option of determining whether or not a public bookmark list gets displayed on their cache page so they could turn off the clutter ones or at least be able to sort the display order to put them at the end. I'm sure CO's wouldn't want my "Caches that were a waste of time" list displayed on their page.

should include favorite % also or instead of just count

good idea but it should include ave % per cache also or instead of the simple count

Most CO’s would consider their own cache placements to be in “nice” spots. But what characteristic makes it nice – a scenic spot, an out of the way corner of the parking lot away from muggles, etc. So “nice” would provide the same meaningless results as a single overall rating system. We have a cache on a 70 mile local trail. Most of the trail is nice, but that doesn’t warrant placing 701 caches (assuming it was dead straight). We selected a site near a single unique rock formation. It’s not national park level scenery, but we would list it as scenic. Other cachers have selected other specific locations along the same trail – some more, some less scenic. Even a simple walk through a park without an endless view could be considered scenic if that's why you placed it.

Most puzzle caches could be adapted to any location that you want. You just need to adjust the clues. We have three listed as “puzzles” but they are really just unknowns, where you need to get clues at the scenic/historic point of interest we wanted you to get to in the first place. Those points are just not appropriate for hiding the final container. The puzzle is the means, not the end, and certainly not the focus of our caches. Yours appear to be the same way, with the focus on scenic locations. But I also included an option for those who don’t want their caches rigidly categorized. I also suggested that that be the default choice, placing the additional effort on those of us who do want to categorize ours.

Not readily seeing this scenario already submitted in the forums, but may have missed it. There has been extensive debate regarding quality vs quantity of caches and the reasons why cachers hunt/hide caches. Quality cachers gripes generally narrow down to the inability to readily identify the unique types of caches they are seeking or getting their own caches to stand out from the masses. Numbers cachers generally don’t want additional placement restrictions or burdens to slow down cache placements. My suggestion below would build on the existing attribute system. This would add one question to the cache reporting form or to the attribute form, with a generic default for those who don’t want to bother with the system. This would allow the CO to declare a primary attribute indicating why they chose this location to place a cache and allow seekers to narrow down their search list to the types of sites/caches they are looking for. Based on the “When you go to hide a geocache, think of the reason you are bringing people to that spot. If the only reason is for the geocache, then find a better spot." – (Briansnat) perspective, I’d prefer it to be on the cache reporting page to encourage cachers to more actively think about their placement location. The question I would add is – “I want to bring other cachers to the center of this 528 foot circle because it is” – followed by the dropdown list below • a Unique scenic view* • Historically significant • a Physical challenge to get here • Critical to my puzzle solution • Critical to the cache name/theme • Kid friendly* • Educational • Culturally significant • a Quickie/Park-n-grab* • In an area that needs more caches (just say so. Locals may take time to find it, but travelers through the area may opt to skip this in favor of a more unique site) • Undeclared/other (suggest explaining on cache page) Asterisked selections above are the only reasons that have established attribute symbols. The default would be “undeclared”, so that the process won’t hold up CO’s who are in a hurry and don’t want to take this time consuming extra step during the submission process, or for CO’s who don’t want their cache relegated to a specific box. Existing caches would get an “undeclared” until the CO updates it. Additional dropdown choices could be added if other placement reasons are noted. This primary attribute should show up on the cache page as the first attribute, in a different color than black. It be searchable in the PQs separately from the overall attributes. Caches should be distinguishable (ie color coded) and selectable (shutting off the ones you’re not interested in, the way cache type currently is) on the mapping. Incorporating these additional attributes into the existing attribute selections would not be much help. Running a PQ in my area specifically including the “scenic” attribute yields numerous caches for which it would be a stretch to consider scenic at all, let alone be the primary reason for going there.

Agree but mapping issues here are never important. Since that's all I use, it is my top priority. I finally saw what I thought was a benefit that justified a premium membership and then found out it isn't there. Trick me once..... Mapping is all I use also. I don't like lists that bounce you in every direction from your center point. I'd like the suggestion implemented and it would be nice to see a list of the priorities posted, even if it was on a forum that you couldn't respond to.

Honestly, BlueDamsel this is your best option! Once I learn the microspew droppers I ignore all of their caches that are in my range. It takes time but it's worth it! Some of these folks have hundreds of hides, so I've been asking for this feature. I really think caching boils down to finding caches from people with similar tastes. So eliminating caches hidden by people with very dissimiliar tastes from your PQs is the way to go! Is there any way to apply your ignore list to the geocaching-google maps? There are numerous caches close to home that I choose not to look for as they don't interest me. I not looking to stop others who are interested in them, but they clutter up the map making it more difficult to find ones I would be interested in.

Hi...I enjoy browsing the cache images, where you can see 1000 at a time. I used to be able to click on one and enlarge it...will I be able to do that again, or was that feature eliminated? Thanks Linda